How To Drive Like A Driving Instructor | Other Drivers Lane Discipline

Today's video is a different take on me driving. I take a look at what people are potentially doing wrong rather than me just giving an example of what to do right.
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[@tides2002]

There seems to be an increasing number of lane 2 60mph trundler’s who will speed up to 70mph when someone starts to overtake in lane 3, more annoying than just sitting in lane 2 at a constant speed.

[@EEtix]

This literally happened to me yesterday, I had to go 75 because of someone behind getting closer and wanting to round, once I over took the guy going 60. He speeds up, goes Infront of me and slows down again.....some people really can't stand being overtaken

[@peterthompson9854]

I have never noticed this on the road.

[@QiuEnnan]

@@EEtixNext time just slow down and drop back, then try to overtake again later if they slow down again.

[@alanmorrison163]

29:30 sitting behind the lorries with ACC on gives some really impressive fuel consumption numbers, lorries are great at punching a great big hole in the air so you don’t have to.

[@BillCarson-mq9ko]

How does that annoy you?

[@khalidacosta7133]

What's worse is the people who join the motorway and immediately go into Lane 2, even though Lane 1 was clear... and the most dangerous of these idiots are travelling around 50mph....

[@PedroConejo1939]

I've seen drivers move immediately to lane 2 at the start of a dual-carriageway section from a single carriageway, even though there is a completely empty road in front of them. Then they stay there. I can think of no motivation for doing it.

[@broadsword6650]

If people would join the motorway first, become part of the flow, assess the situation, and only then change lane/speed etc, it would be so much better for everyone, rather than barging in, swinging across lane s, accelerating hard to max speed etc

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@broadsword6650 As we're supposed to according to the highway code.

[@broadsword6650]

@@PedroConejo1939 exactly. But we know that many people haven't read that publication since they passed their test.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@broadsword6650 Exactly.

[@icy_swoosh]

I think the biggest reason for such poor lane discipline in the uk is the lack of education. As someone above commented, people think that lanes correspond to the car they drive rather than bigger picture of traffic flow. I think main contributor to this is lack of education about motorway driving during driving lessons, as you have in some other countries, like Germany (or so I’ve heard). Adding motorway driving test as mandatory before getting one’s license could hopefully help fix this approach in road users’ minds.

[@miapenny4161]

It really is appalling to see how many people will stick themselves in the 2nd lane and never budge. Glad you mentioned how cars can block your view on the slip road at the beginning; I drive a small car, and that can be a right pain. Great video!

[@ShaimingLong]

As I've had a busy afternoon after watching this video, I took it as an opportunity to ask some people about motorway lanes, as a non driver and prefacing it on saying I'd watched this video on motorway driving. Two care workers, one of which does transport to help clients get to their appointments and my step-dad. All three gave me the same sort of summary, left lane is for vans and trucks and for leaving the motorway, middle lane is for regular cars and the right lane is for overtaking the middle lane. On asking a little further, my step-dad did acknowledge that the right land is to keep traffic flowing, but that's about it. So I'm guessing that simplification of motorway lanes is why you get so many people just coasting along in the middle lane, they think that's where they should be as non-work vehicle drivers. Edit: I spoke with a couple of friends individually and asked them both as they've been on the road roughly ten years, one was a bit of a boy racer, the other I've always viewed as being pretty sensible. The "boy racer" gave mostly the same concept, except the right lane was just "the fast lane, which if you're competent is where you wanna be." The sensible driver tried to give me an explanation all about traffic flow and to try to be in the left lane as much as possible, dependent on other vehicles around you. So that's 4 out of 5 that seemed to think the lanes were more about what vehicle you're driving and not about traffic flow. So as regular car users, they believed they should be in the middle lane with small exception to the one who seems to think he should be in the right hand lane. All of which is rather concerning.

[@FlavourlessLife]

On lane discipline and moving back to lane 1... I think it's not just laziness, but also dread of having to time your move back out into lane 2 when lane 2 drivers aren't anticipating what you're going to do (which should be obvious, if they're paying attention).

[@alane7903]

Which just requires a little more forward planning on the part of the driver wanting to move back out (but yes, it's whatmakes many nervous of correctly keeping left).

[@ellieban]

I agree. I think people don’t want to get trapped in lane 1 with an endless queue of drivers in lane 2.

[@ibs5080]

I've often heard folks say that motorway driving is boring. However, as Ashley's video shows, there's always plenty to think about in the strive to improve your driving to make it interesting.

[@TheRip72]

You've summed it up nicely. Ashley's commentary was non-stop, which proved there is always something going on to be thinking about. Anyone who claims it is boring simply does not think enough. They will be the ones just following strict rules & sitting in a lane when they should be thinking 'is this the right lane?'

[@ibs5080]

@@TheRip72 You've summed it up very nicely too. I guess it also begs the question "Under the same principle, can being stuck in a traffic jam also be interesting?".

[@DontAttme]

Motorways are tied with B roads as the best part of driving, speeding or not.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

It can be therapeutic for someone like me, as opposed to heavy city driving which annoys me. I had a conversation with someone at my work who said driving to Skegness was boring. I love it, i love all the country A roads.

[@andrewholdsworth4953]

This video is probably the best you have ever done about driving on motorways. I'm a truck driver and you are 100% correct about what trucks should be doing with lane changes. We are under pressure due to our tachograph rules, but we can slow down to let other vehicles move around the road. Keep up the excellent work, Ashley.

[@ashley_neal]

Thanks for your support Andrew 👊

[@jamoco1]

Acceleration sence, On our driving course, of you touched the brakes on the motorway you got a slap round the head, or had to buy the instructor a coffe.

[@claytonhayward5815]

Brilliant video, Ashley. I'm a national same day courier in a van and do motorway miles pretty much every day - some motorways are better than others, but the M6 is just awful until you get to Preston - from North of there it improves massively. Your observations about people congregating in lanes 3 and 4 on smart motorways is so very true (especially on the M1, my 'home' motorway in the East Midlands), and totally ruins any semblance of flow. It was very refreshing to see that the way you tackle motorways pretty much mirrors what I do, so I must be doing it right, but always eager to learn. I like to make (legal) progress, and I do tend to proactively manage flow (especially on dual carriageways, where I'm limited to 60) by keeping out of the way of people and slotting in between slow moving vehicles (with adequate safe space obviously), and it is amazing how many people follow suit, much like they did on your video. Having said that, equally there are some that are rooted to their lane. This video should be a compulsory watch for every driver on the road, if not to make them aware the throttle isn't on and off, there's a whole raft of controls in between the two ! Have recommended my mates in the trade watch this video, and encourage them to share it with everyone they know. Well done mate - much needed. PS Highways England have been putting 'Keep Left unless overtaking' and 'Don't be a middle lane hog' signs on the matrix boards on all motorways and major A-roads (eg A14) for the last two or three weeks and, after a stuttering start, it does now seem to be making a difference, albeit a VERY slight one ! At least some drivers are taking the hint anyway

[@samcooper1579]

Hi Ashley, another great video! Does your car have a speed limiter feature? As an HGV driver myself, I'd love to see a video where you set your limit to ~56mph and drive "like a lorry" to show how poor lane discipline DOES affect the progress of larger & slower moving vehicles. Just a suggestion! 👍

[@laceandwhisky]

Yep not forgetting the lack of respect people give to HGV 's on the road 😊

[@Evolixe]

It still wouldn't be the same as moving in and out of lanes with a 16.5m long vehicle isn't quite the same thing as doing that with a 4m long passenger car Changing lanes with a lorry inherently requires extensive planning on a busy road.

[@samcooper1579]

@@Evolixe yes you're right, my suggestion would only cover half the problems we face in HGVs, but I think it would be an interesting video nonetheless!

[@antonycharnock2993]

I've tried it in my car and it's so frustrating. I also find cruise control pointless in a car at 70mph unless you've got adaptive or you're travelling late at night and the motorway is almost empty.

[@ianmason.]

On a recent run from a day out walking in Dungeness returning to home In east London via the M20 I did a little experiment and did sections with cruise control set to various speeds From 70 mph down to 50 mph in 5 mph increments. To my surprise I found that people exercised the best lane discipline around me if I was going at 50 mph. At 50 people didn't tailgate me, they overtook me leaving plenty of time, and generally I had to make the least adjustment for other people's behaviour. The other speeds were all less good and pretty similar to one another, with the exception that if I wanted to maintain 70 mph I had to do a _lot_ more awkward navigating around lane hoggers and speeders.

[@mdcollins1984]

Perfect timing! Can't watch the whole video but it fits in perfectly with my journey yesterday! Dual carriageway at night, driver in lane 2 at 65mph passing no one for miles. I wasn't in a hurry so didn't undertake. Not much else on the road but a couple of cars passed me and undertook him. One undertook, did a revenge lane change into lane 2 in front of said car, who then clearly panicked and shot into lane 1 in front of me without paying any attention!!

[@smilerbob]

That is the trouble with the reprimand pass that either the driver giving the reprimand is only focused on the itger car or the other driver panics and does something unexpected

[@AUaudits]

I never move from 3 to 2, beside any vehicles in 1, just in case. I would have moved in past the lorry, where there is a gap. In past, I had vehicle move out while impatient driver tailgating.

[@hugoed3740]

Absolutely fascinating video of driving safely on a motorway, with due consideration for all motorists. Good to hear your thinking as different scenarios presented themselves. I also got the impression that the majority of motorists were also driving in a safe manner with similar care and consideration for the other motorway users.

[@kiddywolf1837]

As a retired ADI this is how I used to teach my learners on motorway lessons after they had passed. Keep up the good work. Speaking to some drivers (not my learners) some stick to the middle lane because they are scared to change lanes while others think of lane 1 as the slow lane!

[@VespaT5]

It's not often I'd say you were wrong and really this is just a difference of opinion but when at work behind the wheel of a lorry, when you are catching another lorry and the road is flowing freely, you will and I believe should overtake. You would be surprised just how quickly you lose sight of the lorry you overtook. It's the same when you are the one being overtaken too, they disappear surprisingly quickly. I'd also add that when I'm being overtaken in a lorry by a lorry, I will, after checks, turn the cruise off to let them pass quickly. A few seconds of not going as fast as I can won't affect my journey negatively as much as I can positively affect the other drivers journey.

[@ianmason.]

I wish what you said was true of all "lorry overtakes lorry" situations but I bet everybody is only too familiar with the "lorry overtakes lorry at +0.1 mph differential" scenario that plays itself out on the roads all too often.

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@ianmason. I got stuck behind two side-by-side elephant racers from junction 11 to junction 14 on the M40 one night. I couldn't pass because I was towing and the only reason it ended was because a truck joined lane 1 from the slip road causing the inner elephant to have to slow. That was deeply frustrating for me and a bunch of others who couldn't legally use lane 3.

[@neiltill]

Great video again Ashley, nice to see even someone at top of there game like you are can make the odd mistake changing gears, that will make me feel next time it happens to me😂. I dont use motoways that often now but got a road trip planned from Hull over to North Wales in just over a month, will definitely be watching this and other videos youve done on motorway's just to refresh my self before my trip.

[@studiotwo]

The Focus driver at the beginning of the clip knows very well that by staying behind you on the slip road, they can squeeze you out when you get onto the motorway.

[@markplenty2631]

I honestly appreciate your videos! But honestly i would hope that a motorway course could be part of the driving test at some point.

[@Alan_Clark]

I agree that drivers need to be taught how to drive on Motorways, but many people live an hour or more from the nearest motorway so it is hard to see how it could be done.

[@markplenty2631]

@@Alan_Clark well, we cannot fix geography, but it’s seems counterintuitive to ban learners from a motorway only to have a 45 min test only to allow them unrestricted access..

[@keithdenton8386]

Lane discipline in France is way way better. Overtake move back. If your wanting to get out to overtake cars they let you. In the UK they have the mindset of your not getting out, as I will have to slow a bit. That's why people in the UK don't like to move over, and lane hog.

[@NickRamsden]

The drivers who never change lanes until their exit. They sit in lane 2 doing either 55mph behind a lorry or 80mph when it's clear. Every time they meet a lorry you pass them in lane 3 then when it's clear and you move to lane one they pass you doing 80mph in lane 2. They also lack the foresight to see you approaching a truck in lane 1 and box you in. After a dozen times it gets quite tedious. It's like they never progressed from skill level 1 on a motorway driving game.

[@stephencooper3280]

Another enjoyable video. Love the 'How to drive like a Driving Instructor' series. I passed my test last year a bit later in life (47) and learn a lot from these, and all, your videos.

[@James-yi3vu]

If you can’t find it grind it 😂

[@smilerbob]

🎵Every shift you make The lever moves and shakes Every time you brake Every gear you take I’ll be grinding you🎵

[@user-mp1br6yh1g]

@8:00 On a motorway, I think only you and perhaps cars behind you can hear your horn. Its like when you put an alarm clock in a bell jar and reduce the air pressure, the sound fades away.

[@waltert9]

Cool video, interesting to see how different it is in the Netherlands... people usually always keep to the right and its funny to see foreigners often not having the same discipline

[@cactusbase3088]

Not from my limited experience driving in the Netherlands. I was shocked by the lack of lane discipline, speeding and amount of aggressive driving I witnessed on their motorways. Really surprised. Is it the Verstappen effect?

[@peterthompson9854]

Watched the whole video before commenting. Lots of useful stuff. One thing to take away is the monitoring of vehicles closing in on those in front. Most of the time you will know when a lane change is coming. I think many road users could improve on this. Most of the actions you did, I’d have done myself, but I think you caused a problem holding back for the EMR truck joining the M6. It was too much, you should have passed. This put the black in a bad position, then you blamed them for being pushy. You limited their space, they were being pressured by white behind, but they very quickly grow it again. All down to you not moving past the truck. I also think the situation at around 26 mins was predictable too with the Nissan. Traffic on the right was slowing so everything was bunching. Don’t think the Nissan did too much wrong. Some confusing contradictions throughout, but I don’t think anyone could commentate a drive for 48 minutes without contradiction.

[@PeterPan-i3x]

Really enjoyed this video, I'm going on a road trip to Scotland, I don't use motorways usually, always stick to A roads, I've been driving 10 years, no points or any crashes etc. To be honest I'm very hesitant and panicking all little bit it's our first family holiday now my kids are a little older. I wish I had motorway learning on my test. Is their anything I should know about motorway driving ?. I know I should know but in the situation things can tend to be different, thanks

[@gazsm1]

Had it recently on the M6, small car very close behind me in the second lane as I was passing a lorry. Further ahead, another lorry pulled out into the second lane, so I checked my mirrors and checked over my right shoulder, and, as I saw nothing, I indicated to go into lane 3... suddenly, a horn was blaring, and the little car was already in lane 3 and going for an overtake. Because he was close to me, he'd fallen right into my blindspot... had he held back to a correct distance and then attempted the overtake, I would have seen him... but his impatience led to him following far too close and being in my blindspot.

[@Lanzy4lee]

As a lorry driver of sum years expecting a lorry in lane one to slow down for a stupid lorry driver in lane 2 doing 2 mph more just creates a situation where the.lorry behind you want to over take . The problem.is lazy inconsiderate lorry drivers blocking up lane two miles over to gain about 4 seconds a mile absolutely stupidity

[@jimcameron6803]

"I hate lane-keep assist" I've only just passed my test, but having experienced it in my instructor's car I'm very much inclined to agree. It didn't kick in very often, but given that one of those times it was trying to keep me on the wrong side of the road while I was overtaking, and twice it tried to prevent me from avoiding a pothole when the second lane was completely clear and empty, I think I'd rather not have it.

[@TestGearJunkie.]

I do detest 'smart' motorways, they can and have caused fatalities due to the lack of places to stop in an emergency. There was a case a while ago on the approach to Spaghetti Junction on the M6 where a family broke down and had absolutely nowhere to go due to the fact they were on an elevated section. They were wiped out by a lorry within a minute of stopping. Never mind not creating any more, they should revert the ones they have done to normal motorways with a hard shoulder. Also, how are the emergency services supposed to get to an incident like this..? Oh yes, really enjoying using the T130 since I got it.

[@alasdairmacleod8420]

Add the lane 3 trundlers, basically you have to be prepared to treat motorways these days as if you are driving on the continent or the USA. Especially the I have a nice car and doing the speed limit idiots who think by driving in lane 3 with clear lanes for miles in 1 & 2 this prevents you from overtaking them as you shouldn't be speeding anyway. That and I at least a third of people on the roads don't have a licence. Time the police did more than enforce what their cameras tell them to do.

[@MajorKlanga]

When talking about lane discipline, it's important to remind people that it is dangerous to cut back into a left hand lane immediately after overtaking another vehicle as you are basically turning that vehicle into a tailgate. Please leave a few seconds before doing so.

[@rob103rl]

Middle lane hoggers are the worst. Oblivious, or too self important to move into lane 1

[@ibs5080]

Watched the entire video now and made many individual comments. Just also to add, that was brilliant Ash! And you put so much thought into your driving and passed on so many great ideas. Learned a number of new things from this video and reinforced several things i was already doing. Massive Thanks Ash!

[@inyobill]

It gripes me when I see the lane sitters, but, honestly, It's probably better if those people leave the thinking to the competent drivers.

[@MrJohnny3shoes]

If the Audi in fromt had have moved out to lane 3 why would you do the same? That would make you a lane hogger..

[@MrJohnny3shoes]

Just to eliminate the myth that's been going around for years and years now I was expecting to see you do some passing on left.

[@matthorner35]

Anyone else hearing Ashley's voice in their head now while driving? Did my first super long motorway journey last week, I think my safety hugely outweighed my mistakes (there were one or two though and then scolded myself in Ashley's voice)

[@ShaimingLong]

I don't drive and I also have his voice as my reasonable inner critic of how people drive. I absolutely have phrases like "You probably could have done that a little better." in my head far more than my own voice complaining about someone driving poorly.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

When ever i'm coming to a situation when driving that confuses me a little i sometimes think, "What would Ashley do". Then suddenly his voice pops into my head like he's sitting in the passenger seat.

[@HEKVT]

One thing I've noticed is that when driving in Lane 2 or 3, the overtaking lanes, some people like to pull out into that lane right infront of you, despite catching up to them, lorries in particular have been bad for this.

[@MK-1973]

Thanks so much for this one Ashley - truly impressive how much safe space you're able to create around you whilst still making such excellent progress in heavy traffic. As you say a higher 'mental load' than just pootling along in lane 1 (even when properly concentrating), but as you show here it can be quite stimulating as well to challenge yourself to make good decisions to make a little more safe progress.

[@Keithbarber]

Good morning all

[@dankshiz69]

Wassup

[@ibs5080]

Hello Keith. At a car show right now

[@lewistillett206]

Morning Keith

[@GameWithViiP3R]

Morning

[@sherrylawrencelewis2544]

I love motorway driving! I am the only member of my immediate family who does, so I am the designated driver for airport drop-offs/collections, day trips, house removals, weddings booze run to Germany (to buy non-alcoholic wine), uni runs, etc. I am teacher so also get called upon to drive our school minibus. Once the risk assessment paperwork is completed, it is great to enjoy working with our kids in new another environment. In another life, I would have become a long distance coach/lorry driver and drive all over the world. Europe, Australia and the USA. 😊😊😊

[@moustafaalbatran5304]

I eating popcorn while watching this video😂

[@Bambitheman45]

Beautiful. Simple, easy driving. A few days before last Christmas I drove from Scotland all the way down to West Sussex, so M74, M6, M25 and M23 without leaving lane 1 other than to overtake a lorry. Everything else was stuck in lanes 3 and 4 because of absolutely pisspoor lane discipline. If you're looking and planning motorway driving should be easy.

[@LeDoucheBouche]

The thing I found most surprising is how few people drove past whilst you were going at or near the speed limit. I find on sections of road that have roadworks and temporary speed limits, or even open motorway that when I go at the limit on the road I'm being overtaken. Presumably these people doing the overtaking are the same people who tailgate on single A roads. Cars have the technology now to warn about stopping distances and I think tailgating should have more of a priority in roads policing. In my opinion, it's as risky as using your phone in traffic but way more dangerous. Incidentally I saved about 15 quid by using your discount code on my new dashcam, an A139. I'm looking forward to sending you some footage once it's fitted correctly. My first try it was a bit squinty.

[@nickborst-smith5389]

Keep your hands on the wheel when talking.

[@smilerbob]

Finally got around to watching after my weekend roadtrip along four of our finest motorways. I can safely say that what was experienced in this video was also experienced this weekend, and all previous trips I have made. We had the lanes 3 and 4 trundling at 30mph with very little traffic in lanes 1 and 2. We had a few cars merge straight into lane 2 from the slip road with nothing in lane 1 for some distance. There was even one that caught me up in lane 2 while I was overtaking at 69mph, sat behind me until I moved to lane 1 and sped off into the distance. A few minutes later I was in lane 3 overtaking a queue of cars in lane 2 where in the middle was the CLODer. I don’t think some people can help it I have heard many excuses for drivers to be in lane 2 only. From “I’ll only have to move out to overtake a lorry further down the road” to “Well people can use lane 3 to overtake me”. When I try to explain to them about traffic flow all I get is “Thats not my problem”. Most of the people that have said this to me are also quick to bemoan those going slower than 70mph in lane 2 and “Holding them up and making their journey time longer”. If only they could see the irony in their own statement / logic One final comment, I agree with you on lane assist technology. My one and only experience was in a hire car driving along the M1 near Luton and the hard shoulder was open to normal traffic flow due to heavy traffic. As the hard shoulder started the car detected the white line and almost snatched the steering wheel out of my grasp and tried to pull the car to the right…where a Ford Transit was passing me. Luckily no contact but I pulled into the next services and disabled that driver assist technology and have done so ever since when hiring a vehicle

[@TheRip72]

I often find myself in lane 1 with about half a mile of clear road in front of me & nothing in lane 2. Then a stream of cars doing 60mph in lane 3 & a few cars in lane 4. I often want to go a little quicker but by working my way into lane 4, I am just adding to the congestion without actually getting much further. My solution is to ease off a bit, which also prevents me from getting frustrated. Then I see someone passing the whole lot in lane 2. It may be wrong but they should not be given a chance to do this in the first place.

[@billyporter1389]

@@TheRip72 Your solution is a reason why we have congestion. You slow down to 60mph, and lane 2 doing exactly as you do makes the whole carraigeway congested.

[@TheRip72]

@@billyporter1389 How wold being one on the few in the least congested lane be the cause of congestion. I stay in lane 1 (I don't think you realised that bit) because it is barely any slower than any other lane

[@billyporter1389]

@@TheRip72 If you want to go a little quicker why can't you just stay in lane 1 and pass those in lane 3. Instead you said you just ease off.

[@TheRip72]

@@billyporter1389 Because they may not be expecting me to be there, which is an open invitation for an accident regardless of who is at fault. Lane 1 is not the right place to be if you want to go faster. I got pulled for that a few years ago by an unmarked police car (there was a Land Rover towing a trailer at 60mph in lane 3) but after being told I would be prosecuted for driving with undue care & attention, nothing further happened. So be very wary about passing on the left.

[@ellieban]

I think people are (perhaps legitimately) scared to travel in lane 1 on a smart motorway. They’re a terrible innovation 🙄

[@MrJohnny3shoes]

People who are afraid to use the inside lane on smart motorways are those who cannot see further than their nose. They think you have to do 70mph, you have to drive up the Arse of the vehicle in front. They done even have to use the live lane if they don't want to. Fast speed Dual Carraigeways don't have a hard shoulder, they can have pedestrians, cyclists, gets yet never hear anybody complaining.

[@shawnrahoon6789]

Ashley. Driving in lane 1 at 70mph and approaching busy traffic in lanes 2 and 3 moving at around 60 to 65mph would I be committing any offence by undertaking?

[@ashley_neal]

Maybe not, but I would advise not to do it.

[@billyporter1389]

@@ashley_neal Thanks 👍

[@josyms7849]

23:07 Ashley needs to do a video on how to change gear

[@steve3291]

I see a lot of the "middle lane" brigade who will never go into the overtaking lane so will sit on the tail of a truck doing a slow overtake for ages. I think some people drive like they are only allowed to change lanes twice an hour. Maybe they are saving wear on their indicator bulbs.

[@ianmason.]

Have you _seen_ the price of indicator fluid?

[@CarCapture]

One of the new challenges i've noticed is when moving back into a left lane alongside a lorry. I'd always done that when you could see the driver in their mirror in the 'have they seen me' mode. However, the newer units with cameras for mirrors, you can't use that as a guide.

[@ashley_neal]

Absolutely right Simon. I'm currently trying to borrow either a lorry or a car so I can explore this further. Our video is scheduled for the weekend by the way!

[@hv54wxt]

It would be good if you went over to Germany and the autobahn. In my opinion the rules are enforced in Germany 🇩🇪 which means a road without a speed limit exists as people drive properly and use the roads properly

[@chinapig71]

It's not that great. Drivers still do stupid things, they just do different stupid things. Whilst lane hogging is less of an issue on the Autobahn, tailgaiting is 100 times worse. They are also not very good at adapting their driving style to differing conditions, ie they dont tend to slow down in poor visibility. Worse culprits drive 4wd SUV type vehicles, they seem to think that 4wd means they are invincible in the rain.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Germany can be a mixed bag. There are more lane hogs than there used to be, and aggression can be . I'd definitely recommend a visit for a series of videos for Ashley. I used to go Zeebrugge - Antwerpen - Venlo - Hamburg - Flensburg regularly and there are guaranteed to be some interesting points of contrast. Ultimately, I'd rather drive on an Autobahn than a UK motorway but even the autoroute in France is better than a motorway (and France can throw up some crazy drivers).

[@radiogreenduck]

Nice you leave your change from lane 3 to 2, after overtaking a wagon in lane 1, until you are level, or just past the cab. So many drivers change from 3 to 2 before passing the wagon and drive into the wagon's blind spot.

[@ibs5080]

At around 17:05 good point that under certain conditions, a full shoulder check may not be necessary but just a sideways glance...and mirrors of course. The scenerio at that timestamp was a good example. Namely when you are immediately "following out" another vehicle that's just overtaken you.

[@inyobill]

If I signal all the time to indicate desired maneuvers, then I don't forget when it's really required. Doesn't hurt. I noticed you leave a bit extra space ahead of you when stopping at lights. I believe there are multiple reasons to do that.

[@Cream147player]

Great video. One thing that's clear from watching you is that "always thinking" mindset. On the motorway, as with all driving, you need to be switched on at all moments. Motorway driving is in reality some of the easiest driving you'll do, and that makes it easy to lose focus - but of course one mistake on the motorway and you could be in an incredibly serious accident, so it is crucial you maintain focus at all times. By keeping up active observations on the cars around you it keeps your mind on the task at hand.

[@ibs5080]

At around 27:15 good point about if you are going to move back in, make sure no one is going to move out into the same lane. I've delayed lane changes for this very reason. As a general principle it's important to be aware of what's happening in all lanes as it can have a domino effect and affect you. Avoid having tunnel vision.

[@EEtix]

Lane Keep Assist causes me some serious issues, especially round Liverpool, people parking on the side of the road, even with noone around i have to indicate otherwise my car tries to pull me into the parked car

[@ashley_neal]

Keep tuned in for a video soon on how I permanently turned mine off!

[@beastlyfitzy]

I love this series. It's great to see so many different scenarios being dealt with

[@mx-ze8ml]

Hi Ashley, thanks for your great videos, love your channel! Is there any way you could do a video or even a series about trailers and towing? Greetings from Switzerland!

[@ashley_neal]

It's on the agenda!

[@laceandwhisky]

​@@ashley_nealhopefully add load distribution I see so many trailers dancing or swerving cos of it.

[@mx-ze8ml]

@@ashley_neal Thanks so much, looking forward to it! 😊 Best, Max

[@mx-ze8ml]

@@ashley_neal Also, you once mentionned doing a road trip to continental Europe, that would also be cool!

[@Badger-w8u]

Ashley , there is a staggering amount of drivers who do not know what lane discipline is . Roundabouts are the worst . I look at where the tarmac has a line on the island and follow it round , while others almost try to overtake me , as they cut across the island . My car share mate Rob , drives straight over the white painted mini island , as I cringe . Some islands are marked badly .

[@46rrodriguez]

Spot on video. Glad you explained peripheral awareness around the correct checking the mirrors with forward leaning the correct sitting position too. Must see video for all drivers

[@kevinbarker3366]

Always important to be the "manager ". Don't let other drivers "manage" you!

[@jeremyperkins9110]

Great video as always Ashley and this one I wanted to watch in particular as I cover many many miles weekly on dual carriageways and motorways. I tend to set my cruise control at 73 where conditions suit. In many cases this means that only HGV restricted to 56 (or 60 on more modern ones) are the ONLY vehicles travelling slower than me . I expend a lot of energy in all round continual observation, moving over in a timely manner when I see vehicles closing even if they often only move out after they see me come past them as they have no clue "where I've gone" My issue is I often have tailgaters, feel the pressure to move back a lane even though I know my closing speed will bring me behind my next overtake before the tailgater has slowly edged past me. Not yielding however results in all sorts of strange overtaking actions. I must get this a dozen times a day and I never know what is the right strategy; I'm already driving at the legal speed limit, I'm aware of space creation in front of me and I resent muppets who have no idea about space creation tailgating me often in deep conversation on the mobile or with passengers or whatever

[@bensonandaga]

hello . i just subscribed to your channel . I am about to take my second Adi part 1 test , i failed hazard perception by 2 points ..I am practicing towards Adi part2 with ORDIT trainer and i practice myself ..its so hard to correct bad habits

[@strokebloke]

Nobody wants to drive like a driving instructor. They're the worst!!!

[@ibs5080]

At around 35:15, I commented on this earlier for this video but totally agree that each lane change should be separate, with a cancellation of indicator in between and back on again for the second lane change. I see drivers leave their indicator on plus carry out one sweeping lane change across multiple lanes.

[@inncubus666]

One thing that came to mind while listening to you here, even if it can be frustrating, I think it's better that people are driving within their capability rather than pushing themselves and making dangerous errors. It'd be nice if everyone put more effort in to learning skills or even if we, as people, were more able to decide against using certain roads (or in other walks of life really too) etc if we're not up to it but that isn't going to happen.

[@jazzx251]

On Saturday - a drove up the M1 to Northampton. Near the city, it split up into 4 lanes. A sign said "Always stay to the left unless overtaking" I ended up undertaking a complete idiot in lane 3 - He was completely alone (I took the safe option by undertaking in lane 1 - two lanes away - I was doing 70, they were doing 50 at most) ... there were no upcoming exits or lane changes for miles and miles ... this twat had chosen to trundle along in lane 3 of a 4-laner at 50 mph. The signs instructed that he should move to the left (actually a basic part of the driving test) ... he did no such thing. Lane hoggers are easy to spot. And they should have their driving licences removed immediately. Because they cause indecision to those around them - which can be utterly lethal.

[@ibs5080]

At around 17:21 re "I'm now doing 72". Just to say, i have a gps based speedometer app that also records max speed and can be reset at any time. Two days ago on a return journey Canterbury / Heathrow, a return journey of around 190 miles: Max gps speed on outward journey = 74 mph Max gps speed on return journey = 75 mph. Not perfect but not attrocious either i believe. Update: I now see you went into more detail on this for your car at around 41:00

[@ricequackers]

This video is the main reason that much of my motorway driving (at a slightly brisk 75-80mph) happens in lane 3 - I'm invariably passing a procession of cars sitting at 60mph in lane 2. It's made extra annoying and/or amusing when they then speed up as I overtake them, realise I'm going faster than they're comfortable with, then drop back to their previous speed. I think the biggest problem is that motorway driving isn't actually on the test at all, and until fairly recently didn't even feature in driving lessons. There's lots of people out there who've been using them wrong their entire life and don't realise the problem.

[@ibs5080]

Just settling down for the evening to watch this. So you went back down to Birmingham to check out another viewer's cars Ash. I feel a corresponding video coming up!

[@richH1625]

46:28 grey BMW convertible Even if they know lane 1 is going to be closed ahead why can't they use use it , then merge?? AN, you're very gentle on them. ;)

[@ibs5080]

At around 28:56 re "Doing exactly 70 mph". Just curious to ask if you are basing your speed on car speedometer or gps based speed? I know accuracy varies for every vehicle but as an example, on my car, 70 mph via gps speedo is around 75 mph on the cars speedo. It therefore follows that an indicated 70 mph on my car's speedo will be somewhat less in reality. Update: I see later on in the video, you went into specifics for your car in this regard.

[@lesjones471]

Speed limiter on trucks is 56mph,trucks are allowed to go upto 60mph with the limiter still engaged,example going down hills with a heavy load.It's a good gauge on flat roads if you do not have a satnav to be behind a truck and notice your speedo which will be reading a greater speed about 3mph.

[@ibs5080]

At around 47:25, curious to ask about your lane assist: 1. Does it not cancel temporarily whilst you're indicating? 2. I assume you can turn the feature off permanently 3. Although you only mentioned it at the end of this video, was the lane assist equally annoying throughout this whole video? You made many lane changes during that 48 mins.

[@billnewby9082]

Driving over 300 miles along our motorway network the other day and I'm increasingly suprised at the number of drivers who sit in lane 3. They tend to group up into about 5 or 6 cars and refuse to pull back into lane 2 The lead car is the instigator. There's loads of space in front of them. They could easily pull back into lane 2 but refuse to do so. I passed numerous signs urging motorists not to be a middle lane hogger....but the growing issue now seems to be lane 3 hoggers. There were times when lane 1 was very empty, and yet people nowadays sit in both lanes 2 AND 3 with a self entitled ignorance that astonishes me.

[@bennash6808]

Its like you have been in my car when I drive on motorways. You have vocalised exactly what I have said/thought for many years. The vehicles who just stay in the middle are even more of an issue when I'm towing and they rush to get the overtake in and then block me from overtaking. Ghe standard of British driving is poor and getting worse. I would love to know your thoughts on drivers having to requalify every 10 years when they have to renew their photocard driving licences?

[@QiuEnnan]

Lane discipline in the UK seems heavenly compared to Hong Kong. There drivers make almost no attempt to move back into lane 1 (or even lane 2) despite signs requiring drivers to ‘keep left unless overtaking’. There are right-lane hoggers everywhere and it’s illegal to undertake them on the motorway. 😭

[@bensonandaga]

if someone would give me a choice between lesson with this instructor or Taylor Swift free ticket I would easily choose a lesson..

[@AUaudits]

I crunched my gears yesterday. If I did it Met Police Roadcraft video way, I would not have crunched gear

[@lewistillett206]

I’ve become addicted to your videos, passed my test in 2018 but there’s always things I need to brush up on

[@sw8296]

My current motorway bug bear is the people that can't tell the difference between an exit slip road from lane 1, and an exit where lane 1 itself peels off from the main carriageway. Consistently seeing people needlessly moving out from lane 1 to lane 2. Happens a lot on M27.

[@Sukikev]

Great example of how to drive on a motorway. I was an LGV driver and I would back off the throttle when being overtaken slowly. It only needs a drop of a couple of mph to assist the overtaking driver and it makes no difference to my journey time.

[@ibs5080]

At around 11:55, under the same traffic pattern and with no one behind to hold up, had it been raining, i would have delayed my return to Lane 2 until I was past the lorry in Lane 1. Reason being, to avoid the spray from the HGV in Lane 1. As it was, it was dry conditions here but I'd still be cautious.

[@ibs5080]

At around 41:47 re signalling and that "It should be a given that you are coming back in". The issue is, how do other drivers know you are in fact going to do the "given" thing of moving back in or whether you are going to lane hog? And even if you are going to do the "given" thing, without a signal, other drivers won't know exactly when you will come back in. Is it "now" or another 3 seconds, 5 seconds etc?

[@matthewchapman6395]

A lot of close passes and left hooks are by driving instructors so I'd rather people didn't drive by their example.

[@jimg492]

Excellent vid Ash! What is your opinion on tap the indicator stalk for 3 flashes, adequate?

[@falsernet]

24:25 The left lane further up goes ahead, the gantry sign width is just misleading, as you see later in the footage. As a local I've encountered this myself lol

[@dave294045]

Turn off the "Lane assist". I always do on my T-Roc which has the same system. Also it does not activate when signalling a lane change. Have a look at your settings.

[@_XRMissie]

4:47 You've ridden bikes so you definitely know this, but this is ESPECIALLY important on low displacement vehicles like 125cc bikes. The amount of throttle work you need, up and down the gears, clutch, it's a lot of work. On long hauls a 125 probably won't be great since you'd be pinned the whole way, but even on my 650 I have to manage the throttle on the motorway to maintain safe distances. Engine braking on bikes is so much stronger (along with acceleration) so you dont need much modulation of the throttle but it is constant. 23:06 Everyone has a clunk moment now and then lol

[@waynec9950]

has the modern car with Adaptive Cruise Control helped to increase the number of middle lane drivers that slow down and speed up depending on what is infront of them, set ACC to 70 and your car will slow down to 56 when a lorry pulls out then accelerate sharply to 70 as soon as it pulls back in to lane 1 and yes its lazy with a complete lack of awareness and lane discipline

[@DrRusty5]

The ability of someone to be utterly unaware if their surroundings in Lane 2 and block a car making progress in Lane 1, is so frustrating.

[@ibs5080]

At around 1: 20 as you accelerated away from the lights, I could hear your sporty after market exhaust.

[@colinsmithers6961]

Lane 1's for lorries, lane 3's for German cars and lane 2's for everyone else - simple!

[@Joe-ug1vu]

The clip was getting good just as you ended it 50 mph speed limit the lorry behind you caught the other car up and looks like it was tailgating it.

[@markas1370]

I spend too long trundling up and down the motorway networks in my job role. Main Frustrations: 1) Drivers who can’t gauge joining the network. 2) Lane hoggers, usually lane 2, if the road is clear they’ll go as fast as they can but if a lorry or anything else going slow blocks their path they sit behind until it is clear again. 3) Drivers who speed up as you are passing, option is to go slightly faster to pass them or to ease off and pull in behind, in either case they will slow down again as soon as you have made a decision. 4) Drivers who don’t read the signs and plan which lane they need to be in, most cases drivers have at least 1 mile notice. 5) Drivers who join the network and aim straight for lane 2, even if they haven’t built their speed to anywhere near 70mph 6) Drivers who constantly switch lanes in heavy traffic, often causing others to brake which causes further knock on slow downs.

[@robertmiller4343]

I have adaptive cruise control on my VW Caravelle, I put that on when it seems ok to do it, it is the actual thing that is better than sliced bread. I love it just make sure you are not tired when you put it on.